Her debut film was Aa Gale Lagja with co-star Jugal Hansraj. But it was flop. She has done insignificant roles in films like Narsimha and Chamatkaar, but realised that even co-star Shah Rukh Khan couldn’t salvage her literally non-existent career. That was when she decided that she had to do some serious work.

Rangeela managed to give Urmila’s career a much-needed boost. For this movie she got the filmfare award for best actress. In this movie she came out with a glamourious look. This movie had created a new trend for costumes. Her role in this film as an extra who want to become an actress, perfectly brought out Urmila’s bubbly side, even though the acting called for some refinement. And the credit for her being recognised as an actress goes completely to besotted director Ram Gopal Verma. From this film she was recognized as the most sexiest and appealing actress. She also became the lucky mascot of Ram Gopal Verma. She had done Koan, Satya, Pyar Tu Ne Kya Kiya which proved that she is not a sex symbol only. She got the critic award as an actress for Pyar Tu Ne Kya Kiya. Urmila challengingly took up the role of the other woman in Mere Sapno Ki Rani with Madhoo and Judaai with Sridevi.